LEADERS & ADVOCATES ON NEW BEGINNINGS
L-R: Sam Arnaldo, Nikki Dolfo, Chloe Mabasa, Chiara Siochi
Newly accredited organizations BY DOMINIQUE U. MANIPOR TAKING ON the highest position in an organization is a daunting experience for a student leader. Pressure is placed upon the leaders who are anticipated to give direction to the organization entrusted to them. But for the presidents of the organizations that were newly accredited by the Office of Student Activities (OSA), there is a heavier weight on their shoulders as they adjust to the systems of the Coalition of Accredited Organization of Ateneo (COA). Taking the first step After undergoing the Student Organizations Assessment and Review (SOAR), OSA’s accreditation program, the presidents of the newly accredited organizations initially did not expect their terms to be different from their predecessors’. However, Sam Arnaldo (4 AB IS) of Ateneo Hinomoto, Chiara Siochi (4 AB COM) of Ateneo Blue Consulting Group, Chloe Mabasa (4 AB PSY) of the Institute of Skin-divers of Ateneo (ISDA), and Nikki Dolfo (5 AB SOS, Minor in Literature) of Barefoot Philippines all quickly realized that they must work under new conditions in their bid for accreditation. “Being put in a situation where you have to compete for your right to prove yourself, it really pushes the [organization] to go over the way that things were done before and to do it better,” Chloe says. For Sam, Chiara, Chloe, and Nikki, heading their respective organizations means highlighting the capabilities of their officers and members while honing the skills that they possess. Being in a position to take care of others pushed them to believe in themselves in spite of the doubts that lingered in their thoughts. But more than that, what strengthened their drive as student leaders were the advocacies that serve as the
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foundation of each of their organizations. Falling in love with their organization’s advocacy became the stepping stone for them to foster the same love within their members. It is this love, passion, and the desire to care for their members that kept them going as leaders. On the journey itself After braving the throes of Project SOAR, the newly accredited organizations had another set of challenges waiting for them. “There is a pressure, it’s not in [Project] SOAR, but what happens after, especially when you get that accreditation status, and I think that’s where I think all of us are struggling now because it’s a different culture that we have to adjust to,” Sam says. While settling into their term as presidents, they had to wade through the uncharted waters of COA and OSA, adjusting to new systems like the finance structures implemented in accredited organizations. Nonetheless, they understood that adapting to the new environment is for the betterment of their organizations, as accreditation comes with invaluable perks, like an org room, funding, and mentorship from OSA. Through the help and guidance of OSA’s formators and coordinators, adjusting to the new procedures and gradually finding their place in COA became easier. Moving forward As their terms come to an end, Sam, Chiara, Chloe, and Nikki have a better understanding of a student leader’s journey. Trusting the process, relying on your officers and members, and learning from failure, are the advice they wish to impart to their successors. “Learn from the mistakes that we made this year and all the other previous years, and...never forget your why: Why you joined in the first place and why you wanna
lead also because that will get you through all the burnouts and all the challenges,” says Chiara. While the situation was more complex for them this year, being a student leader made their time in Ateneo more fulfilling. This kind of service allowed these four leaders to grow in ways that they could not find anywhere else but in their own organizations—their second homes.
, i k k i N , m Sa Chiara , e o l h C
